What preditor killed my hens?

[Robert Kazlauski]

I had 4 hens. I had a Buff Orpington, a Black Australorp and two white Amberlinks. Last week I saw that only my Orpington was left. Instead, a lot of white feathers were in the run. Also, a lot of white feathers were in my backyard neighbor's yard despite his chain link fence. There were just a few black feathers near a small door to the run. That small door is very hard to open. I have trouble with it. The small door on the other side has no knob, but to open it you need to slide the door up. I do not know what kind of preditor killed my chickens or how it got in and out of the run. NO dead bodies were found. My neighbor's dog has been in my backyard but he is too big to get in the second door. He could get into the first door, but even I have trouble opening that door. A different neighbor said he saw a fox go down the road the day before. I live in a residential neighborhood, so what killed my hens?

 

[GodofPecking]

fox. internet search for 'fox (insert the name of my local area') if you don't believe.

foxes can climb fences, roofs, corporate ladders, whatever.

biggest predators for your chickens are

1) people. Far and away the worst and most prolific predator.

2) foxes. They're designed that way 'hey I'm a fox, haters gonna hate'

3) dogs on the loose. they generally do not leave a lot of feathers, be friendly to them, invite them for a long drive or give them food, water, and send them with a friend who is driving a long way. Pounds just give them back without a fine to their friends who are pr%#s, so send it to a pound on mars, then they'll learn to enjoy driving or KEEP THEIR F$%$#g dog under control. just saying.

 

[jbj25]

I had 4 hens. I had a Buff Orpington, a Black Australorp and two white Amberlinks. Last week I saw that only my Orpington was left. Instead, a lot of white feathers were in the run. Also, a lot of white feathers were in my backyard neighbor's yard despite his chain link fence. There were just a few black feathers near a small door to the run. That small door is very hard to open. I have trouble with it. The small door on the other side has no knob, but to open it you need to slide the door up. I do not know what kind of preditor killed my chickens or how it got in and out of the run. NO dead bodies were found. My neighbor's dog has been in my backyard but he is too big to get in the second door. He could get into the first door, but even I have trouble opening that door. A different neighbor said he saw a fox go down the road the day before. I live in a residential neighborhood, so what killed my hens?

I am not sure what got your chickens. But, do you consider your run to be completely predator proof? Does it have a top? What is the run constructed out of? Have you looked for any places that it may have been breached such as holes (not necessarily big holes) dug under etc.. That would be the first thing to do which is look very well for anything where something might have gotten in and fix it so you don't lose your one remaining bird.
Raccoons are very apt at opening doors if all they have to do it raise it up or a simple latch. Possibly some other animals such as fox, even domestic dogs, or coyote could nudge up a door as well.

 

[McChooky]

If I came home and found my hens missing I'd search for clues (like feathers in my neighbors yard)My suggestion is get a camera because you need evidence(the *** will be back) Sorry for your loss!

 

[Bsmac]

So sorry for your loss... It`s tough to lose birds... As McChooky said I would do more investigative work to determine what happened to them so hopefully it doesn`t happen again. Good luck